All-Time Raiders QBs Ranked: Plunkett #1, Stabler #2

Ken Stabler

#12 · Las Vegas Raiders
Retired 15 Years In The NFL
🏆 Super Bowl champion (XI)
Ken's
HAIR
48.6
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Ken Stabler or the Raiders?

Ken Stabler Legacy

HEYTC AI
"The Snake" was equal parts surgeon and showman—a quarterback who dissected defenses with surgical precision while living the Raiders' rebellious ethos off the field. Stabler's 1974 MVP season established him as the era's most clutch operator, but his legacy crystallizes in those unforgettable playoff moments: the "Sea of Hands" threading through Miami's secondary, the "Ghost to the Post" in double-overtime against Baltimore. He led Oakland to five straight AFC West titles and a Super Bowl XI championship, piloting a franchise that embodied swagger and substance. When he retired, his completion percentage ranked second only to Joe Montana. Stabler passed away in 2015, but remains the standard-bearer of the Raiders' greatest dynasty.
Ken Stabler passed away on July 8, 2015 at the age of 69.

Ken Stabler Rating Breakdown

Season
Great
Fantasy
Average
Playoffs
Great
Overall
Sigma
10 years with the Raiders

Ken Stabler Career Stats via Wikipedia

27,938 Pass Yards
194 Touchdowns
222 INTs
59.8% Comp %
48.6 HAIR

Ken Stabler Career Timeline

HEYTC AI
2016 1

Posthumous Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 30 years after retirement, just days after his death from colon cancer at age 69.

1986 1

Final NFL Season

Played his last NFL season with the Saints, appearing in 7 games with limited action before retiring at age 40.

1984 1

Signed by New Orleans Saints

Signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints, beginning a three-year stint as a backup and occasional starter.

1982 1

Released by Oilers

Released by the Houston Oilers after two injury-plagued seasons, during which he appeared in only 20 games.

1981 1

Major Knee Injury

Suffered a severe knee injury that sidelined him for much of the season, limiting him to just 4 games with the Oilers.

1980 1

Oilers Playoff Appearance

Led the Oilers to the playoffs with a 11-5 record; threw for 2,593 yards and 13 TDs in his first full season as starter.

1979 1

Traded to Houston Oilers

Traded from the Raiders to the Houston Oilers in a blockbuster deal involving multiple draft picks, ending his 10-year tenure in Oakland.

1977 1

Third-Place in NFL MVP Voting

Finished third in NFL MVP voting after leading Raiders to playoffs with 2,607 yards and 18 TDs; earned another Pro Bowl nod.

1976 2

Third Pro Bowl Selection

Selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl following the Super Bowl championship season.

Super Bowl XI Victory

Guided the Raiders to a 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI, completing 18 of 30 passes for 180 yards and 1 TD; named Super Bowl MVP.

1975 1

NFL MVP Award

Won NFL MVP honors after a 12-2 season with 2,354 passing yards, 27 TDs, and only 9 INTs, earning First-Team All-Pro recognition.

1974 2

AFC Championship Appearance

Led the Raiders to the AFC Championship Game, though they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-13; Stabler threw for 199 yards and 2 TDs.

First Pro Bowl Selection

Stabler earned his first Pro Bowl selection after leading the Raiders to a 12-2 record and throwing for 2,354 yards with 16 touchdowns.

1973 1

Named Raiders Starting QB

Stabler took over as the primary starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, beginning a dominant stretch that defined his Hall of Fame career.

1968 1

Drafted by Raiders

Ken Stabler was a second-round pick (#52 overall) in the 1968 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders after a standout college career at Alabama.

15 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Ken Stabler

How does Geno Smith compare to Ken Stabler?

Ken Stabler's 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns dwarf what Geno Smith has accumulated, but that's apples-and-oranges stuff. Stabler was a gunslinger who won a Super Bowl and made the Hall in 2016—his legacy's cemented. Smith's still writing his story in silver and black, trying to prove he's more than a journeyman. Different eras, different circumstances, but only one's got a ring and a bust in Canton.

Is Ken Stabler in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Absolutely. Stabler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, cementing his place among the game's elite signal-callers. The Snake earned it with four straight AFC West titles, a Super Bowl XI championship, and a career that redefined what a mobile, intelligent quarterback could accomplish in the '70s. His 27,938 passing yards and 194 touchdowns spoke volumes about his consistency and clutch gene.

How would Ken Stabler perform in today's NFL?

Modern rules would've been a playground for Stabler. The guy was brilliant pre-snap, had underrated mobility, and threw with precision—all skills that translate beautifully to today's pass-happy game. Without the brutal defenses he faced, his completion percentage would climb, and his touchdown total could've been astronomical. He'd probably thrive, though losing that gritty '70s physicality might've cost him some swagger.

How does Ken Stabler compare to Jay Schroeder?

Not even close. Stabler's 16.35 rating looks pedestrian next to Schroeder's 31.71, but context matters—Schroeder had better weapons and benefited from rule changes. Still, Stabler's the franchise icon: Super Bowl champion, Hall of Famer, the quarterback who defined Raiders football. Schroeder had moments, but he never captured the mystique or delivered championships like the Snake did.